Name: Spinach and Arugula Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 Cups Baby Spinach; 2 cups Arugula; 1/4 cup pine nuts; 1 green onion stalk; 2 Tbs cilantro; 6 Medjool Dates; 10-12 Cherry Tomatoes; 1/4 Hemp Hearts; 2 tsp mayo of choice 2 Tbs olive oil; 2 Tsp rice vinegar; 1 Tbs maple syrup; salt and pepper

By Merritt Allen

If there was one salad you will want to would make everyday, it would be this spinach and arugula salad. Checking all the boxes for being a fantastic recipe, this salad has been on repeat at least weekly in my house for the past few months! If you like your salad to be healthy and filling, you will love the toppings for this recipe. A mix of dried dates, pine nuts, tomatoes, and more, everything is the perfect balance to help you enjoy eating your vegetables while also feeling satisfied. That being said, this recipe is also so versatile and I will provide substitutions and alternatives so you can make this recipe all your own.

The dressing is just creamy enough without being heavy. It is made as a combination of avocado oil mayo, some maple syrup, and a touch of olive oil! Paired with a few seasonings, you will want to put this dressing on more than just salad!

Get ready to add this salad with spinach and arugula to your weekly routine by enjoying it as the perfect side dish at dinner, or a light lunch!

Jump To Recipe

Why You Will Love Salad with Arugula and Spinach

Having a delicious and easy spinach and arugula salad on hand is just the first reason you will love this recipe. The ingredients are filling and healthy which is why I love this salad! I also love that this recipe pairs so well with any protein or main dish. The dressing is addictive and is great drizzled over chicken or roasted veggies!

Common Questions Spinach Arugula Salad:

How Do I Make Spinach Salad Taste Good?

Making spinach salad taste good does not need to be hard. It is as simple as pairing your salad with the right toppings. Making sure you add enough variety in the form of toppings helps create a really good tasting spinach. Dried fruit, toasted nuts, and a really good dressing are all easy to add and make a huge difference in flavor.
Another way to help make spinach and arugula salad taste good is to make sure you have fresh spinach and arugula. Using spinach or arugula that is wilted, starting to brown, or even a little slimy will create a bad texture and flavor for you salad.

Is Arugula a Lettuce?

Though often confused for a lettuce due to its common appearance in salads, arugula is not a lettuce. Arugula is a bitter leafed vegetable that contains many of the benefits of cruciferous vegetables. For spinach and arugula salad, the arugula offers fiber, micro nutrients, and a slightly peppery taste!

What Kind Of Dressing To Add to Salad with Arugula and Spinach?

Adding a dressing that is slightly sweet helps balance the bitterness of both arugula and spinach. I use maple syrup to help add just a touch of sugar to the salad. Using a mild acid also helps balance the flavors of the spinach and arugula. I use lime juice, rice vinegar, or similar that have a slightly less acidic taste than lemon juice.

What To Serve With Spinach Arugula Salad?

If you are like me, you love serving every meal with vegetables. This spinach and arugula salad goes so good with many different dishes that I have listed below!
Try making Burger Bowls and pairing with this salad! It is a great way to add extra fiber to a weeknight meal. Burger bowls are a common meal prep dish in my house, and a fresh salad is a good way to switch up your dinner.
Lemon Dill Chicken is a simple and bright chicken dish that could be served both on top of this salad with arugula and spinach or along side.
Spaghetti night could get a whole lot better if you pair this salad with a simple homemade Marinara Red Sauce smothered pasta! The salad is a great contrast to the filling pasta dish, making the combination delightful.

ingredients for spinach and arugula salad

Ingredients For Salad with Arugula and Spinach

Recipe: Salad

2 Cups Baby Spinach You can buy pre-washed spinach but if you are using fresh, be sure to rinse away any dirt! If you are using mature spinach, cut away the stems. I save these for vegetable stocks by storing them in a baggie in the freezer!
2 cups Arugula Look for bright green baby arugula that does contain any brown spots.
1/4 cup pine nuts You can buy untoasted pine nuts and dry toast them in a skillet prior to serving.
1 green onion stalk Finely chopped. You can also use some diced shallot.
2 Tbs cilantro Roughly chopped. You can try using other herbs too. Dill, basil, or fresh taragon have all been added and loved!
6 Medjool Dates Roughly chopped. The dates offer a chewy sweetness that contrasts the savory flavors. You can also use dried mango, apples, or fresh strawberries.
10-12 Cherry Tomatoes Chopped in half. You can also use heirloom tomatoes if in season.
1/4 Hemp Hearts Optional but a great way to add fiber and slight crunch. You can also use sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, or unhulled flax.

Recipe: Dressing:

2 tsp mayo of choice This adds creaminess. It is optional but highly recommended
2 Tbs olive oil
2 Tsp rice vinegar You can also use 1 lime, coconut vinegar, or white wine vinegar.
1 Tbs maple syrup Great with honey too.
salt and pepper To taste

How To Make Salad with Arugula and Spinach

Chop the Vegetables
1. Wash and pat dry the spinach, arugula, tomatoes, green onion, and cilantro. Set aside on a towel to drain.
2. Over low heat, add the pine nuts to a dry skillet. Toast until fragrant and golden brown, about 4 minutes. Set aside to cool on a plate.
3. Chop the tomatoes, cilantro, dates, and green onion.
4. To a large salad bowl, add all the salad ingredients.
Make the Dressing
1. In a separate bowl, combine all the ingredients for the dressing. The dressing will be slightly chunky, especially if you are adding super cold mayo to room temperature vinegar and olive oil. No need to fully emulsify.
2. Lightly stir the dressing together and then add to the salad bowl. The salad and dressing can be assembled a day in advance and kept separate. Add the dressing fresh or the spinach and arugula will get very wilted.
3. Toss to combine and serve!

Spinach and Arugula Salad

Yield: 6

Author: Merritt Allen

Prep Time: 10 MinCook Time: 5 MinTotal time: 15 Min

This easy spinach and arugula salad is a healthy salad recipe that is hearty and filling!

Ingredients

Salad Recipe:

2 Cups Baby Spinach
2 cups Arugula
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 green onion stalk
2 Tbs cilantro
6 Medjool Dates
10-12 Cherry Tomatoes
1/4 Hemp Hearts

Dressing

2 tsp mayo of choice 2 Tbs olive oil
2 Tsp rice vinegar
1 Tbs maple syrup
salt and pepper

Instructions

How to Make Spinach and Arugula Salad

Wash and pat dry the spinach, arugula, tomatoes, green onion, and cilantro. Set aside on a towel to drain.
Over low heat, add the pine nuts to a dry skillet. Toast until fragrant and golden brown, about 4 minutes. Set aside to cool on a plate.
Chop the tomatoes, cilantro, dates, and green onion.
To a large salad bowl, add all the salad ingredients.
In a separate bowl, combine all the ingredients for the dressing. The dressing will be slightly chunky, especially if you are adding super cold mayo to room temperature vinegar and olive oil. No need to fully emulsify.
Lightly stir the dressing together and then add to the salad bowl. The salad and dressing can be assembled a day in advance and kept separate. Add the dressing fresh or the spinach and arugula will get very wilted.
Toss to combine and serve!

Nutrition Facts

Calories

133

Fat

5 g

Carbs

23 g

Protein

2 g

Cholesterol

1 mg

Fiber

2 g

Net carbs

21 g

Sat. Fat

0 g

Sodium

55 mg

Sugar

19 g

Nutritional Information is an estimate only. Exact values will vary based on ingredients used.

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Salad with Arugula and Spinach Recipe

Why You Will Love Salad with Arugula and Spinach